Like all good things, the idea for this column came about while running. More specifically, last Saturday during the BTC Saturday Long Run. BTC Webmaster Dean Thornton, a few others and I were traveling from the Lakeshore Trail to Jemison Trail via Shades Creek Parkway, under the Highway 280 exchange. We all mentioned how dangerous that passage is, and how it could be improved. Someone else mentioned the crosswalk by “Starbucks Hill” going up Hollywood Boulevard before “The Bridge”, and how just a few flashing lights could make that a safer thoroughfare. And thus “Community Corner” was born. A few words to BTC President Alex Morrow and The Vulcan Runner Editor Julie Pearce, and Boom! Here we are!
Update on the Hollywood Bridge
Before we start, let me recap what I know about “The Bridge”. You may remember our efforts a couple of years ago lobbying Homewood for a pedestrian bridge crossing Highway 280, connecting Homewood and Mountain Brook. At the time, then-State Representative Paul DeMarco had obtained a federal grant that would cover 80% of the cost of the bridge. Mountain Brook had agreed to cover 10%, and it was up to Homewood to commit the final 10% to move forward. Then-BTC VP Alex Morrow, then-Vulcan Triathlon President Stephanie Farrington and I, along with several other Homewood BTC members, presented to the Homewood Mayor and City Council at the invitation of Ward 5 Councilman Peter Wright. The Homewood City Council agreed and voted to budget these funds. There was still some work to be done involving the City of Birmingham, but all systems seemed to be on go.
But. . . ALDOT then reconfigured the traffic flow along Highway 280 and eliminated the traffic light in front of the Hampton Inn, resulting in many more cars at the Hollywood Boulevard exit. The project became a much bigger one than previously envisioned, as ALDOT considered a complete re-design of the exit. Mt. Brook re-committed its funds to the sidewalks by the zoo. We lost our state champion in Representative DeMarco, when he left the State House to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. And now we are at a standstill, and starting all over again from scratch.
So, the Bridge becomes our first entry on the Community Corner list of needed improvements! The idea for this column is thus: a listing of safety improvements in our area, along with contact information for community representatives to help facilitate a solution. BTC members then have an easy contact list, and can reach out in a polite and professional manner to express our concerns about the needed improvements. We can continue to monitor progress of our identified issues in this column, so keep us posted on your efforts!
Current Safety Concerns
My experience working with elected officials in our area has been very positive. I have found them to be open to listening to the community concerns, and reasonable in looking for solutions. I live in Homewood and have worked with our city leaders many times, but I have also worked with Mountain Brook when the BTC provided funding for the Jemison Trail water fountain. I have worked with the City of Birmingham regarding the Vulcan Run. In each instance, the city officials were reasonable and approachable and helpful.
I am going to start with a few issues we identified on last week’s run. We are starting with Homewood and Mountain Brook issues because many BTC routes travel through these areas, but the BTC wants to improve runner safety in ALL areas that we cover. So this is your official invitation to email me with your safety concerns from any area the BTC covers, and I will list them along with the appropriate community representative and his or her contact information. My email address is pastpresident@birminghamtrackclub.com.
- The Bridge at Hollywood Boulevard over Highway 2801
- State Representative David Faulkner, District 46
- We need him to secure the federal funding we originally had in place via Representative Demarco. We also need him to work with ALDOT for a solution to this busy and dangerous thoroughfare. We welcome any communications with Representative Faulkner, and would love to publish any updates he can provide. Phone: 334-242-7600 Email: david.faulkner@alhouse.gov2.
- Mountain Brook Mayor and City Council
- We need Mountain Brook BTC members to ask both the Mayor and City Council to re-commit funding for the City’s portion of the project. Mayor Terry Oden: 802-3800 City Council members: Alice Womack, Lloyd Shelton, Council Pro Tem Billy Pritchard, Council President Virginia Smith, Jack Carl All Council members can be contacted via City Manager Sam Gaston (802-3800, gastons@mtnbrook.org).
- Homewood Mayor and City Council
- We need Homewood back on board for its funding, direction and support. I will forward this article to Councilman Wright and President Limbaugh, but any polite and respectful correspondence from Homewood BTC members would be appreciated as well!
- Mayor Scott McBrayer Phone: 332-6103 Email: Scott.McBrayer@DignityMemorial.com
- City Council:
- President Bruce Limbaugh: bruce@limbaughtoyota.com
- Ward 1 Michael Hallman: m.shane.hallman@gmail.com
- Ward 1 Britt Thames: bthames1@gmail.com
- Ward 2 Fred Hawkins: fred.hawkins2@gmail.com
- Ward 2 Vance Moody: Vance.moody@homewoodal.net
- Ward 3 Patrick McClusky: mccluskycc@yahoo.com
- Ward 3 Walter Jones: walter.jones@homewoodal.net
- Ward 4 Barry Smith: barryandkyle1@charter.net
- Ward 4 Alex Wyatt (replacing Heather Reid): awyatt@pljpc.com
- Ward 4 Rich Laws: rrlaws@armstrong.com
- Ward 5 and President Pro Tem Peter Wright: pwright@sirote.com
- State Senator Slade Blackwell, District15
- Senator Blackwell was not involved in our earlier efforts, but we certainly could use his help! (He is a runner too). Montgomery office: (334) 242-7851 Birmingham office: 324-7676 Email: SB@sladeblackwell.com
- Flashing Lights at the Crosswalk by Starbucks in Mt. Brook Village
- Mountain Brook Mayor and City Council, via City Manager Sam Gaston. Phone: 802-3800 Email: gastons@mtnbrook.org.
- Lakeshore Trail Concerns:
- Trash Cans (with dog waste bags?) Emergency phones?) and a Port-a-Potty
- This came about while I was on a run this week with my family. My dog pooped, and I had to carry her waste bag with me for a mile because there were no trash cans! I have also talked in the past with Homewood City Manager J.J. Bischoff about a port-a-potty. He was open to the idea at the time. This is worth re-visiting, given the number of people who use Lakeshore trail. A BTC officer also suggested safety phones for anyone needing help along the Lakeshore Trail.
- Homewood Parks and Recreation Director Berkley Squires Phone: 332-6700 Email: berkley.squires@homewoodal.org2.
- City of Homewood Chief of Staff J.J. Bischoff Phone: 332-6112 Email: jj.bischoff@homewoodal.org
- Safe Connector from Lakeshore Trail to Jemison Trail via Shades Creek Greenway under Highway 280
- (Protective barriers at the least)
- I believe this issue should go through Representative Faulkner and Senator Blackwell. This may involve ALDOT, and they can get information from that agency. I know at one time there was a TIGER state grant that was going to assist in this area.
- State Representative David Faulkner, District 46
- Phone: 334-242-7600
- Email: david.faulkner@alhouse.gov
- State Senator Slade Blackwell
- Montgomery office: (334) 242-7851
- Birmingham office: 324-7676
- Email: SB@sladeblackwell.com
